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Amendments to Rules Governing Disqualifications Without Cause
Idaho Juvenile Justice 2024 Regional Forum
Fourth District Law Day – May 1st
Governor Little appoints Ross Pittman to First Judicial District
Boise, ID – Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Ross Pittman as District Judge to the First Judicial District.
Pittman is a Magistrate Judge in Kootenai County, serving since 2020. He currently presides over the Kootenai County Domestic Violence Court. Pittman brings over a decade of criminal and civil law experience to the bench. He previously served as elected county prosecutor for Boise County and Payette County. Pittman is a former deputy prosecuting attorney for Boise County and Ada County. Pittman received his bachelor’s degree and juris doctorate from the University of Idaho.
“I want to thank Governor Little, his staff, and the Judicial Council for their faith in me; I am honored by this appointment,” Pittman said. “Thank you to my colleagues and family for their continued support. Justice Meyer set the standard high and I am humbled to follow in her place.”
The position Pittman will fill is chambered in Kootenai County. He will fill a vacancy created after Governor Little appointed Justice Cynthia K.C. Meyer to the Idaho Supreme Court. The First Judicial District encompasses Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.
Idaho Code 1-2101, et seq., addresses how judicial vacancies in the Idaho Supreme Court, Idaho Court of Appeals, and District Courts are filled. The Idaho Judicial Council submits a list of at least three qualified candidates to Governor Little for appointment, consistent with Idaho law.
University of Idaho College of Law – Menard Law Building 50th Reunion, Boise & Moscow – April 25th
University of Idaho College of Law – Menard Law Building 50th Reunion, Boise & Moscow
Sponsored by University of Idaho College of Law
Thursday, April 25, 2024
4:30-6:30pm Local Time
Receptions will be held in Boise and Moscow
Moscow Location: Menard Foyer
Boise Location: Front Street Building – Room 221
Cost: Free
Join us in Boise and Moscow to celebrate 50 years for the Menard Law Building!
Register by April 14, 2024.
Rule Changes Effective March 1st, 2024
Notice of Judicial Recruitment Workshop – Feb. 14th
A Judicial Recruitment Workshop will be held Wednesday, February 14, 2024, from 12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m. MST via Zoom. This workshop will provide information to attorneys about what it is like to be on the bench, the selection process, the opportunities available, and benefits of judicial service. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to IDCourts@idcourts.net and you will be e-mailed a link to the workshop.
2023 Award Recipients
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Department Report
by Maureen R. Braley
Introduction to Mandatory Continuing Legal Education
The Idaho State Bar Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (“MCLE”) Department administers the rules governing accreditation of CLE programming in Idaho and monitors Idaho attorneys’ compliance with MCLE requirements.
Course Accreditation
A program must meet the accreditation standards set forth in the Idaho Bar Commission Rules to be approved for CLE credit in Idaho. The MCLE Department receives over 6,000 accreditation applications annually. Individual Idaho lawyers do not pay an application fee. Commercial course providers pay a $40 application fee.
Compliance
Idaho attorneys must complete at least 30 Idaho-accredited CLE programs every three-year reporting period, including at least three ethics credits. No more than 15 of the 30 credits can be “self-study,” which refers to an attorney watching a recorded program on their own schedule. Live CLE programs include in-person classes as well as live webcasts. Attorneys can earn three hours of CLE credit for each hour spent teaching a CLE. Attorneys can also earn up to six CLE credits per reporting period for published legal writing.
Every year, approximately 1,750 Idaho attorneys (one-third of the Active members of the Idaho State Bar) are required to report their MCLE compliance to the Idaho State Bar. The MCLE Department verifies Idaho attorneys’ compliance with the MCLE requirements.
Resolution to Amend MCLE Application Fees
The Board of Commissioners of the Idaho State Bar is proposing a resolution to increase the MCLE accreditation application fees. Idaho lawyers will continue to be able to submit applications for free. The proposal would raise the application fee to $75 for commercial CLE course providers and provide for a $50 application fee for Idaho-based legal affinity groups. The resolution will be submitted to Idaho State Bar members for a vote in November 2023.
Spotlight on MCLE Department Staff
The Idaho State Bar is fortunate to have experienced and talented staff in the MCLE Department. Kim Wilson, Nelda Adolf, Calle Belodoff, and Carissa Carns skillfully handle a high volume of applications, field phone calls and emails from course providers and attorneys, and help attorneys navigate the MCLE compliance process. I am fortunate to work with them and appreciate their hard work.
Maureen R. Braley
Maureen R. Braley is the Associate Director of the Idaho State Bar and the Idaho Law Foundation. Her job duties include overseeing MCLE accreditation and compliance in Idaho. She clerked for Chief Justice Gerald F. Schroeder of the Idaho Supreme Court and practiced law for six years in Boise before joining the Idaho State Bar staff in 2011. Maureen is a “double Zag,” having earned an undergraduate degree in history and a law degree from Gonzaga University.
Endnotes
Licensing Department Report
by Annette Strauser
Licensing Introduction
All Idaho State Bar members must comply with the annual licensing requirements of Section III of the Idaho Bar Commission Rules. The Licensing Department administers these rules and assists members with compliance.
Annual Licensing Renewal
The 2024 annual licensing renewal will begin in late November/early December when the online licensing portal is opened, and the paper licensing packets are mailed. The deadline for paying the licensing fee and completing the required forms is February 1, 2024. Licensing not received by February 1 will be subject to the licensing late fee and the final deadline is March 1, 2024. The names of attorneys who do not submit their licensing by March 1 will be given to the Idaho Supreme Court for cancelation of their licenses.
Attorneys who completed their 2023 licensing online will automatically be presumed to be renewing online again for 2024. An email will be sent to all licensed members notifying them of the upcoming licensing and allowing them to choose an alternate renewal process.
Online licensing renewal is encouraged for all members. It reduces paper, postage, and time. Individual attorneys and firms can submit licensing online and payments can be made by credit card or electronic check. In addition, firms can submit the licensing online and pay with a paper check by using the voucher option.
The online licensing portal will close beginning on March 2, 2024, and will not reopen until the 2025 licensing renewal period begins. All firm renewal attorney rosters from the past year will be cleared out before the next renewal period begins.
New membership cards will be mailed in mid-March 2024 following the final licensing deadline.
Membership Information
All members are required to provide the following membership information, which shall be considered public information:
- Full name
- Name of employer or firm (if applicable)
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Email address
- eService Email address (active and house counsel members only)
Please remember:
- Keep the Bar informed of all changes to your membership information.
- Any changes to the previously stated information must be submitted within 30 days – except for changes to the eService address which must be submitted within seven days.
- Address changes can be submitted online at https://laserfiche.isb.idaho.gov/forms/addressupdate.
- The mailing address, phone, and email are required, but do not use your personal information unless you are okay with having it in the public records.
- Changes to your eService (iCourt) email need to be submitted to the Bar first so it can be passed to the Idaho Supreme Court.
Licensing and Status Changes
In addition to changes to membership information, licensing and status changes occur throughout the year. Attorneys whose trust account or professional liability insurance changes need to update their records with the Bar. New trust account and professional liability insurance certificates can be requested at any time.
Attorneys interested in changing status should review Section III of the Idaho Bar Commission Rules and contact Annette Strauser at 208-334-4500 or astrauser@isb.idaho.gov. Please note that most transfers to inactive or senior status can be made with annual licensing. All other changes need to be made through the Licensing Department.
Licensing Questions?
Please feel free to contact the Bar if you have any questions about the licensing requirements at 208-334-4500 or licensing@isb.idaho.gov. We are here to assist you with your licensing needs.
Annette Strauser
Annette Strauser is the Licensing/IT Administrator responsible for licensing, membership, and IT services. She was born and raised in Idaho, graduated from Boise State University and has been with the Idaho State Bar for 40 years.